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After Laughter: Album Review, and a thought on change.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t usually like change. I don’t like the unknown particularly, and I’m definitely too nostalgic to easily release the present into the past.

Usually, it’s for the best though. Change is evolution and progression and experience, and if you don’t end up in a better place than before, you’ll become a stronger person.

Every job I’ve had is better than the last, every new friend proved priceless, every season shift just in time…

There’s lots to be said on change, but I can’t pretend that this isn’t going to become an album review for Paramore’s most recent album, After Laughter. Even ‘review’ might stretch it. In fact, this is an unashamed spiel about my own personal opinion on the album.

Straight up, I think it’s the best thing they’ve ever made. And that’s no superficial opinion. I’ve been a fan for a long time, I’ve been to the concerts, worn the shirts, hung the posters, and I still do. I’ve got opinions for days. But with this album came change. The change in the music sparked a discussion, and I think that in this, and many, cases the change in this music represents the change in the listener alongside the creator. People reject outward change because they want to avoid inward change.

There is no bad song on this album. The vibe itself took 5 minutes to get used to, but I’m here for it. They aren’t kids anymore, they don’t have the angst which wrote the early songs, they’re older, and so is their fan base. The music has grown up right alongside the fans. People love to complain, and they especially love to complain over change. When the self titled album came out, there were some amazing songs, and plenty that needed to be said was said. It was an evolutionary step, and entirely necessary and valuable. But to me, it couldn’t have been the last project.

After Laughter is a cocktail of quirky rhythms, complex lyrics and an undeniable and irresistible tone of confidence. The album is sure of itself, with a strong sense of organicism and unity between each song. The sound is fresh and captivating, and arguably reminiscent of Paramore’s earlier work (think Misguided Ghosts, AWKIF).

Honestly, my opinion rules it as the best album Paramore has released.

Tracks 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 on repeat in my car.

Don’t be afraid of change. It might come knocking on your door with an 80s vibe, the primary colour palette and an old friend, and remind you how to dance.